Pascrell Lauds Passage in the House of Climate Action Now Act

Sweeping bill co-sponsored by Pascrell would guarantee U.S. abides by standards of Paris Climate Agreement

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) praised House passage of H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act. Shortly before the House approved H.R. 9, Rep. Pascrell spoke on the House floor to urge support of the bill. Authored by Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) and co-sponsored by Rep. Pascrell, this legislation would ensure the United States honors our commitments detailed in the Paris Agreement and lays the groundwork for further climate action.

Pascrell’s floor speech can be viewed here with his comments as prepared below:

Madam Speaker, I rise today because I know climate change is real. And its impacts are already here.

In New Jersey, we know those impacts all too well. Superstorm Sandy sent an unprecedented storm surge up the Hudson and Hackensack Rivers that destroyed homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure that our neighbors still digging out from.

Because these “once-in-a-generation” storms have a human toll. In 2017, the destruction and failed response to Hurricane Maria by the Trump administration led to over three thousand Americans dying. Three thousand! The time for waiting is over — we need to act right now!

Climate scientists are in universal agreement: our plants warming will continue to inflict catastrophic devastation. Military and intelligence experts have warned it is a national security threat.

We need to work together. As one nation. As an international community. The goals some have set have been called overly ambitious. You bet they’re ambitious! These are big problems. And Americans tackle big problems with big solutions.

Supporting H.R. 9 would do just that. It shows the world the United States is committed to the Paris Agreement. That we are serious about setting targets for carbon emissions reductions. This agreement is the bare minimum we can do to prevent against the impacts of climate change

We need to be serious about getting this right. That we’re serious about preserving the world for people like my grandchildren and your grandchildren, Madam Speaker. Because that’s who this is about!

Thank you and I yield back.

Pascrell’s efforts to protect our environment and combat climate change stem from his mission to leave a better world for future generations. From working with federal officials to clean up Berry’s Creek to sweeping federal efforts like the Green New Deal, Pascrell continues to work with his colleagues in every level of government to combat climate change head-on and preserve our cherished natural resources. Additionally, in March 2019, Rep. Pascrell led a letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross calling on him to initiate an investigation into the threat of carbon pollution pursuant to his authority under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.

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